Forget David Beckham, it's the European Cup we are worried about

It was not without significance that Sir Alex Ferguson was just
leaving the San Siro Stadium on Friday night as David Beckham came on
to replace Ronaldinho for the final 14 minutes of AC Milan's match
against Udinese.

The Manchester United manager felt no urge to return to his
directors' box seat. He had seen enough of his team's Champions League
quarterfinal opponents and the jet engines on his private plane were
revving up at Milan's Linate Airport.

Ferguson was back in Manchester by just after midnight and at his
desk at Carrington at eight yesterday morning to supervise the first of
two days' intense preparation for Tuesday evening's first leg against
the Italian club back in Milan.

Point to prove: David Beckham will want to show Alex Ferguson what he's missing

He was not dismissive of the player he groomed for stardom at Old Trafford. Far from it. But neither is the on-loan midfielder top of his priorities or anxieties. These games are about United against Milan, not Ferguson against Beckham.

It was a point the 35-year-old former England skipper was equally eager to emphasise after the game. 'For me it's great, but this tie's not just about me going back to United or playing against United, it's about AC Milan qualifying for the next round of the Champions League and that's the most important thing on the night.

'I'm looking forward to it, two great clubs coming together in such a big game. It's going to be a great game for both teams and both sets of fans.'

Up for it: David Beckham in action against Udinese

The pair were also in agreement about United's current impressive vein of form. 'They are on fire and playing well and Wayne Rooney's scoring goals like he can. It's going to be a tough game,' said Beckham.

His United mentor went further. 'This is the best we've been all season,' insisted Ferguson yesterday. 'The whole team is playing well. We could not be going into this game in a better state mentally or physically.'

The United boss is confident about avenging their Champions Cup semifinal exit three years ago when Milan turned a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford upside down by trouncing their opponents 3-0 in the San Siro.

'The circumstances now are very different,' he said. 'We had a tough Premier L e a g u e match at Everton on the Saturday when I had to pick a full-strength team. The same players faced Milan three days later. Milan rested nine players for their weekend match so they were really fresh to face us.

'Not being in the FA Cup has meant we've had a good break this time, and we'll be fresh going into the game.'

Leonardo's Milan team did not have to come out of second gear to beat Udinese 3-2 on Friday. But there were individual performances that caught the 68-year-old Scot's attention, particularly the return of Alexandre Pato after a two-month injury absence.

The 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who scored Milan's second goal, came on after 10 minutes to replace the injured Amantino Mancini. 'I don't imagine Leonardo would have wanted to bring him on so early but he is clearly a very useful player with a lot of pace,' said Ferguson.

In the spotlight: Alex Ferguson thinks Manchester United are at their best

Beckham voiced the concern in the Milan camp about how they are going to contain Rooney. 'I've always said Wayne is one of the best goalscorers in football,' he said. 'He's proving it. He's at a great club in Manchester United and he's doing what he does best: scoring goals.

'It's a big shame Ryan Giggs is out with a broken arm. To have played on the same field as Giggsy but against him would have been really nice, but hopefully he'll be fit soon and he may make the second leg, who knows.'

Milan coach Leonardo could be missing key central defender Thiago Silva against United but is happier with his midfield options, which indicates Beckham will again start the game on the bench.

'We know it will be a very special match for him,' said the Milan coach. 'He knows the atmosphere, the team, how we play. He can play everywhere. He is very smart, very intelligent, he's perfect.

'David has nothing to prove. But fortunately we have a lot of players in good condition and now we have the possibility to choose in midfield and in attack and everywhere.'